I just received the newest release, Flyin' Home From Memphis, from The Mighty Mojo Prophets and it's a non stop blues jam. Opening With Sweetness, a Chicago style blues, Alex "Li'l A" Woodson lays out a nice plate of harp. Tom "Big Son" Eliff takes the lead on vocal and Mitch "Da Switch" Dow lays down some cool Elmore James style riffs. The Gambler has a very light breezy tempo along the lines of some of the early Butterfield work. Dow plays tight rhythm with Dave Deforest on bass and Alex Schwartz on drums. Lucky Man is back in the Chicago groove this time joined by San Pedro Slim on harp. Slim rips a pretty hot solo to compliment this very solid track. I Can't Believe switches to a full blown R&B track with Mark Sample on sax and Johnny V on Trumpet. Mike Malone adds real warmth on the bottom with his organ and Dow plays very slick riffs to compliment Eliff's vocals. The .45 is right out of Elmore James' song book with hot slide riffs by Dow. The is a great track and possibly one of my favorites on the release. California, a jump track, really plays into Eliff's natural singing style (to my ears) and has earmarks from Louis Jordan tracks. Dow plays some really nice lead work in response to singing lead and the band is extremely tight. Sample plays a really swingin' sax solo on this track as well. Remember Me is a great deep Chicago style blues track. Malone tickles the piano and Woodson is right on the harp. Dow even does a fair job of mimicking Morganfield's guitar style but a little cleaner overall. Very cool. One For Me has a bit of a rock a billy style or a twist of Chuck Berry. A real mover, this track will undoubtedly fill the dance floor. Strong Medicine comes out of the shoot with the Bo Diddley beat. Woodson blows a fine solo on this track opening the door for some fine slide work by Dow. Jo's Jive is a cool little instrumental featuring Dow playing some cool T-Bone Walker style riffs but keeping an identity all his own. A primary riff, a rolling riff and double stops make it a cool little track. Street Corner Preacher has a bit of a country blues gait and a funky hitch... think some of Bishop's tracks. Malone is featured on Keys on this track along with Eliff's vocals and a short solo from Dow. Wrapping up the release is Whachulookinfor, strongly influenced by Big Bill Broonzy or Charlie Segar. A light hearted blues featuring mostly Malone on piano and Eliff on vocals it's a great finishing track. This release does not earmark a specific sound for the band but does demonstrate a clear ability to write and play many styles of music that flow nicely together resulting in a interesting and enjoyable release.If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
